Time Management Resources
Learning Resources Time Management
Effective time management is essential for college students to balance classes, social life, and personal tasks. It boosts academic performance and enriches the college experience. This guide provides strategies to overcome procrastination, manage commitments, and dispel common misconceptions about time management. These skills not only contribute to academic success but also prepare you for your future career and personal endeavors. Embrace these techniques to maximize your college years.
Time Management
In school, success isn't about being smart in class—it's about managing your time well. Juggling classes, social life, and personal stuff can be challenging. Learning to manage your time effectively boosts your grades and makes your college life more enjoyable. Whether you struggle with procrastination or have a lot on your plate, this page has tips to help. These skills aren't crucial for school; they benefit your future career and life. Let's learn more about time management to make the most of your college experience!
Scheduling
Set up a semester schedule. Include all academic deadlines and personal events in a calendar and update it regularly.
Prioritizing
Order all upcoming tasks for your day and week based on urgency and importance to allocate your time effectively.
Detail-Oriented
Break down your week into tasks like classes, study sessions, and personal commitments.
Watch this short video for more time management tips.
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique (developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s) uses a timer to break tasks into 25-minute intervals, called Pomodoros, separated by short breaks. Named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used, this method involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break. It helps reduce mental fatigue, and improve concentration and productivity while working on a task.
Steps to a Successful Pomodoro Session
- Choose a Task: Decide on the task you want to work on.
- Set a Timer: Set a timer for 25 minutes (or your preferred Pomodoro length).
- Work on the Task: Focus on the task until the timer goes off. Write down any distractions to handle later.
- Take a Short Break: Then, take a 5-10 minute break.
- Repeat: Repeat steps 2-4 for a total of three Pomodoros.
- Take a Longer Break: After three Pomodoros, take a longer break of 20-30 minutes before starting the cycle again.
Use the interaction below to practice the Pomodoro Technique now!
Spacing Rather Than Cramming
You've likely noticed that cramming is an ineffective study strategy, but do you know why? Research on memory shows that spacing out study sessions helps improve long-term retention.
Here's how it works:
- Forgetting Helps Learning: When you give yourself time between study sessions, you might forget some information. However, relearning what you've forgotten strengthens your understanding and memory of the material.
- Better Retention: Each time you revisit and relearn information, it reinforces your knowledge, making it easier to remember in the long run.
Dealing With Procrastination
Procrastination isn't a sign of laziness; it's a habit developed as a way to relieve stress. For online students, where self-discipline is crucial, breaking this habit is essential for success. Here's how you can do it:
1. Acknowledge Your Stress
Recognize when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed about an assignment, project, or studying. Understand that this stress is triggering your urge to procrastinate.
2. Interrupt the Procrastination Habit with a Countdown
Use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to disrupt your automatic response of avoidance. Counting down engages your brain's prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and action.
3. Make a Conscious Choice to Act
After the countdown, deliberately choose not to engage in distracting activities (like checking social media or watching videos). Decide to focus on the task at hand instead.
4. Start Working for Just Five Minutes
Commit to working on your task for at least five minutes. Beginning is often the hardest part; once you start, you're likely to keep going.
Remember: Breaking the procrastination habit takes practice, but by consistently applying these steps, you'll improve your productivity and reduce stress in your academic life.
Watch this video to give you ideas on how to overcome procrastination.
Use the tool below to help you break the habit of procrastination!
3 Ways to Manage Your Time
Balancing academic, social, and personal responsibilities in college is a complex yet crucial skill. It's about making intentional choices with your time to shape the college experience you desire. This approach enhances your academic success and enriches your overall well-being.
Consider what a successful year in college looks like for you. What are your academic, social, and personal goals? Reflecting on these areas can help set a clear direction. Once you have your goals, regularly assess and adjust your weekly plans to align with them. Setting goals and adapting plans is a fundamental aspect of effective time management.
Now, let's explore three practical ways to manage your time effectively:
These strategies can help you navigate the complexities of college life and ensure that you invest your time in the most meaningful ways. Use the Canvas calendar's Month, Week, and Agenda sections below to practice these three tips.
